One of the goals of research in the construction materials sector is aimed at building infrastructure with a lower environmental impact by developing and continuously optimizing advanced concretes. These advanced concretes can achieve high physical-mechanical performance levels and extend the service life of infrastructure by increasing the durability of the materials, one of the underlying principles in the design of sustainable infrastructure. Durability can be increased by preparing concretes that can counteract the degradation resulting from environmental conditions, such as carbonation-induced corrosion caused by chlorides present in a marine environment or other sources, attacks from freeze-thaw cycles or chemical attacks from substances in the ground or industrial processes. Improving the quality of the materials will lead to reduced maintenance operations, efficient use of resources and greater sustainability.
The goal of the LORCENIS project – in which our R&D departments actively participate – is to develop long lasting advanced and functional concretes for building infrastructure for existing and emerging renewable energy technologies. These concretes will be exposed to extreme environmental conditions like in arctic or desert areas along coastlines or in the deep seas. 
  
For further information, please see the www.lorcenis-eu.com website and read the article published in Portland nr. 76 (www.buzziunicem.com/portland)